Global Journal of HUMAN-SOCIAL SCIENCE: D History, Archaeology & Anthropology Volume 14 Issue 6 Version 1.0 Year 2014 Type: Double Blind Peer Reviewed International Research Journal Publisher: Global Journals Inc. (USA) Online ISSN: 2249-460x & Print ISSN: 0975-587X Conflict Resolution in Pre-Colonial Benin By Felix Ejukonemu Oghi Samuel Adegboyega University, Nigeria Abstract- This study examines the context of conflict resolution in Benin during the pre-colonial period. It seeks to transcend the often emphasised explanation concerning conflicts in Africa in terms of social antagonism, rather, it examines the political, social and economic institutions of pre-colonial Benin to demonstrate the point that development in Africa as emphasised by some European writers were not the product of European presence in the continent of Africa. The study employed the historical method of collection and interpretation of data in its analysis. The study found that prior to the coming of Europeans, Benin like other states of West Africa, had its indigenous mechanisms for conflict resolution and thus contributes to the debate as to whether African states owed their existence with regards to socio-political and economic organisation to European presence or not. Keywords: conflict resolution, pre-colonial and benin. GJHSS-D Classification : FOR Code: 210399 ConflictResolutioninPreColonialBenin Strictly as per the compliance and regulations of: © 2014. Felix Ejukonemu Oghi. This is a research/review paper, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution- Noncommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/), permitting all non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Conflict Resolution in Pre-Colonial Benin Felix Ejukonemu Oghi Abstract- This study examines the context of conflict resolution section concerns the findings of the study and the in Benin during the pre-colonial period. It seeks to transcend conclusion. the often emphasised explanation concerning conflicts in Africa in terms of social antagonism, rather, it examines the II. Early History of Benin political, social and economic institutions of pre-colonial Benin to demonstrate the point that development in Africa as Efforts at tracing the early history and emphasised by some European writers were not the product foundation of the ancient Benin kingdom had its first fruit of European presence in the continent of Africa. The study in the work of J.U. Egharevba, whose work, A Short employed the historical method of collection and interpretation History of Benin was published in 1968. While 2014 of data in its analysis. The study found that prior to the coming acknolwedging this pioneer effort at documenting the Year of Europeans, Benin like other states of West Africa, had its past of the people, it must be quickly added that the indigenous mechanisms for conflict resolution and thus findings of Egharevba, which stated that: “Many, many 7 contributes to the debate as to whether African states owed their existence with regards to socio-political and economic years ago, the Binis came all the way from Egypt to organisation to European presence or not. found a more secure shelter in this part of the world after Keywords: conflict resolution, pre-colonial and benin. a short stay in the Sudan and at Ile-Ife which the Benin people call Uhe”5 has been punctuated by scholars and I. Introduction thus doubts exist concerning the authenticity of the account.6 The controversy elicited by this position re-colonial states in West Africa like other parts of appeared to have been laid to rest by A.E. Afigbo when the world were plagued with conflicts before the he said: Pcoming of the Europeans. These conflicts which …the significance of these claims to Egyptian, were of socio-political and economic nature, did not or at any rate Middle East origin belongs to wider mark the disintegration of these states as they were framework of West African History and Sociology as traditionally managed. The Benin people which is the they are found among most West African peoples focus of this paper presently occupy Oredo, Ovia North- whether inhabit the Savanna or Forst zone, are East, Ovia South-West, Egor and Ikpoba-Okha Local islamized or not. It is quite clear, however, that in the ) Government Areas of Edo State, Nigeria. The town, D present state of our knowledge about West Africa, ( Benin City, apart from being the headquarters of Oredo they cannot be taken seriously by the serious-minded Volume XIV Issue VII Version I Local Government Area, is also the capital of Edo State. students of …history”.7 Before the advent of colonialism in the nineteenth However, one inescapable truth which few century, the kingdom of Benin was one of the most existing works and oral accounts about the Benin important forest states of West Africa during the pre- 1 people have affirmed is that the first of set rulers were colonial period. In fact, it was one of the most referred the Ogisos.8 These kings, along with their palace chiefs - in European literature.2 This reference, from available 3 gave directives to the length and breadth of the literature, was with regards to her external relations. kingdom and exhibited virtues of valour, wisdom and Much was not known about her past. Therefore, the good governance ever recorded in human history.9 study of her past would continue to excite scholarly research as it would help, in the words of O.B. Osadolor, III. Political, Social and Economic “open the boundaries of the historical space for the Institutions in Pre-Colonial understanding of the place of Benin in African history”.4 This study therefore, is divided into five Benin sections. Immediately following this introduction is the Political institutions in pre-colonial Benin early history of Benin. The third section discussed the comprised the Oba, the Enigie (singular, Enogie) and Global Journal of Human Social Science pre-colonial political, social and economic institutions of Chiefs.10 While the Oba was in charge of the entire Benin. Conflicts of political, social and economic kingdom, at the District and Village level he was assisted dimensions and how they were traditionally handled by the Enigie (Dukes) just as titled chiefs had different forms the discussion in the fourth section, while the fifth functions assigned to them. Pre-colonial Benin had two types of Enigie – the Ogie Isi or royal dukes and Ogie 11 Author: Department of History and Diplomatic Studies, Samuel Okanaban who were non-royal dukes. While the Ogie- Adegboyega University, Ogwa, Edo State, Nigeria. Isi were appointed by the Oba from amongst sons of e-mail : [email protected] past Obas and persons who were blood relations of the ©2014 Global Journals Inc. (US) Conflict Resolution in Pre-Colonial Benin Oba, the second category, namely, the Ogie Ikanaban domestic duties until she was married because there (plural of Okanaban) were appointed from amongst was no clear-cut age of marriage.22 For the male, there persons who may have exhibited heroic exploits in war was also no specific age too. It depended on when he or rendered useful service to the Oba who appointed considered himself strong enough to be able to fend for them.12 his family.23 However, a typical pre-colonial Benin It is important to note that while the areas under marriage was one in which after the bride price as the control of the Enigie-Isi was the village or group of stipulated by the parents of the bride,24 has been settled villages, at their demise, succession was based on alongside the necessary rituals such as Ulamwen,25 the hereditary patrilineal primogeniture,13 the case of the bride and the groom started life. Enigie-Ekanaban was not so. There were other district The institution of witchcraft and wizardry also titles such as Ekhaemwen, Ohen or priests and existed in pre-colonial Benin.26 This was associated with Okaevbo or village heads. This class of administrators confession. Such confession was brought to the notice were either appointed or confirmed their appointment in of the Oba, who was the custodian of traditions and 14 ,27 2014 accordance with the tradition of the land. E. B. Eweka, values. According to my informant when a person 15 in his work, The Evolution of Benin Chieftaincy Titles, confessed to witchcraft, such person was brought to the Year categorised Benin titles into two: hereditary and non palace where the witchcraft powers were rendered hereditary titles. The first category were inherited by the powerless. However, where the person confessed to 8 eldest surviving sons of their holders occasioned by have been responsible for the death of persons, he or death, while the non-hereditary category was the she was banished or rehabilitated at Ekonorhue near exclusive creation of the Oba. Whether hereditary or Ikpoba Slope, Benin City where a chief priest or non-hereditary, titles in Benin were confirmed by the priestess took care of them. It is important to note that Oba.16 Rights and privileges were attached to these persons who confessed to witchcraft underwent two chieftaincy titles in pre-colonial Benin. type of test. The first of such test according to my For instance, holders of hereditary titles upon informant,28 was a ceremony in which the suspect was successful completion of the traditional rites gained the made to drink ‘Tigin latex’ sourced from sasswood right of succession and enjoyed the privilege of mixed with water and he or she could summon the becoming member of the House of Chiefs, but for the accusers for indemnity and obtain compensation for non-hereditary titles, without confirmation such chiefs being wrongly accused. The other method involved the could not receive the Oba’s traditional gifts,17 share in use of cock feather of a matured cock pressed on the title fees paid, enjoy the share from Izakhue which was tongue of the accused by persons skilled in the art.29 performed at the demise of a deceased chief and Where the feather fell off the tongue, it showed ) 18 D incidental gifts bestowed by the Oba.